Needham Community Education

Designed for singers, guitarists, pianists, and electronic musicians at any level, this hands-on course shows you how to make your tracks sound fuller, richer, and more professional. We’ll cover practical composition and arrangement tips; recording basics; core mixing and mastering workflows; vocal enhancement (harmonies, EQ, compression); and creative effects (reverb, delay). You’ll explore drum machines and beat-making, virtual instruments and plug-ins (with a brief look at analog synths), plus common production “gotchas” and simple strategies for sharing and promoting your finished music. Note: You will need a MacBook or iPad running Logic Pro or the free GarageBand app, headphones, and—optionally—a small MIDI controller. Students will also need a basic audio interface with appropriate cables (e.g. XLR or ¼″) to connect their instrument or microphone to their computer or iPad. Participants should have a basic level of computer proficiency and at least some familiarity with music recording software. Sessions are fun, clear, and project-oriented so you leave with techniques you can use immediately on your own songs. Limited to 8.